Vegan Charro Beans

Name: Vegan Charro Beans
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 50 min
Cuisine: Mexican
Ingredients: 1 pound dried pinto beans, cooked and rinsed, or 4 (16-ounce) cans of pinto beans, rinsed *see note; 1 tablespoon olive oil; 1 medium yellow onion, chopped; 1 Tablespoon chili powder (adjust to taste); 1/2 Tablespoon cumin; 1 1/2 teaspoons garlic powder; 1 1/2 teaspoons salt; 2 (10-ounce) cans petite diced tomatoes with green chiles (such as Rotel), not drained; 2 cups water or vegetable broth; 1 teaspoon red wine vinegar; 1/2 cup fresh cilantro, chopped

Vegan charro beans are hearty, flavorful, and loaded with nutrients you’ll feel good about. This plant-based spin on a classic Mexican dish features tender pinto beans simmered in a zesty tomato-chile sauce with bold spices.

Bonus: Make it on the stovetop, Instant Pot or Crock Pot!

a white pot filled with vegan charro beans with a ladle scooping out some beans with tomato and spices

Pinto beans are budget-friendly and super nutritious, packed with fiber and wildly versatile.

Serve this up as a hearty side to juicy carne asada or carnitas, folded into warm tortillas for the perfect burrito or taco filling, or enjoy a bowlful accompanied by Mexican style rice topped with diced avocado and sour cream for a main dish.

Charro Beans Background
Tips for Preparing Pinto Beans
How to Make Vegan Charro Beans
Serving Tip for Parties
Alternate Cooking Directions
Frequently Asked Questions

Charro Beans Background

Charro beans, or "frijoles charros," are a bold, flavorful tribute to Mexico's rich heritage, named after the legendary charro horsemen.

These skilled riders and ropers own the spotlight in charreadas, Mexican rodeos bursting with adrenaline and tradition. Dressed to impress in embroidered trousers, short jackets, wide-brimmed sombreros, and spurred boots, charros embody strength, style, and cultural pride.

Much like the charros, charro beans are a celebration of resourcefulness, turning simple, humble ingredients into a dish that's hearty, satisfying, and packed with flavor—a true icon of Mexican cuisine.

ingredients for making vegan charro beans

Tips for Preparing Pinto Beans

I love using dry beans in this recipe because they're so inexpensive (less than $2 per pound at my grocery store) and they turn out a touch firmer texture-wise compared to canned. That said, I've made this recipe plenty of times with canned beans to save time and effort.

My favorite way to cook dried pinto beans is to add 1 pound dried beans (no need to soak!), 6 cups water and 1 teaspoon of salt to the Instant Pot and set it to "manual" for 50 minutes. Then after the time expires, let it sit and naturally release pressure for 15 minutes. Then remove the lid and you'll have perfectly cooked pinto beans.

You can also cook dried beans on the stovetop. You can follow this Stovetop Pinto Beans recipe.

Hot Tip: If you’re cooking beans from dried, save 2 cups of the cooking liquid to use instead of the water or broth in the recipe. The starches in the cooking liquid will create a richer, thicker sauce, adding even more depth to the dish.

How to Make Vegan Charro Beans

Step 1: Sauté the Aromatics

Heat the oil in a large skillet or pot over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and sauté for 3-4 minutes, or until softened and fragrant. Then stir in the chili powder, cumin, garlic powder and salt. Cook for 1 minute, allowing the spices to bloom and become aromatic.

sauteing the aromatic spices and onion in a dutch oven — Saute the aromatics

a large pot with tomatoes and broth added — Saute the aromatics

Step 2: Add the Tomatoes and Liquid

Pour in the undrained diced tomatoes with green chiles, followed by the water or broth, depending what you're using.

Step 3: Simmer and Finish

Next, add the beans and bring the mixture to a simmer, then reduce the heat to low. Let it cook gently for 15-20 minutes, stirring occasionally to allow the flavors to meld and the sauce to thicken. Finally, stir in the chopped cilantro and red wine vinegar right before serving. Taste and adjust the seasoning if needed.

Serving Tip for Parties

This dish is perfect for dinner guests because it can stay warm on the stovetop until it’s time to serve. I like to prepare it completely but wait to add the cilantro until the last minute to keep it fresh and avoid any bitterness. Simply keep the beans over low heat, and about 10 minutes before serving, stir in the cilantro.

I also love to set out extras like chopped cilantro, hot sauce, and lime wedges so everyone can customize their bowl with even more flavor. Condiments are life!

Alternate Cooking Directions

You can easily adapt this recipe to cook completely in the Crock Pot or Instant Pot. I prefer using dried beans with these methods because they retain a nice, firm texture after cooking.

Start by sautéing the onion in a skillet, then stir in the chili powder, cumin, garlic powder, and salt as directed in the recipe. If your pressure cooker has a sauté function, you can do this step directly in the pot. Once the aromatics are ready, add them to your slow cooker or pressure cooker along with uncooked dried beans (no soaking needed), water or broth, and diced tomatoes.

For the slow cooker, set it to the "high" setting for 8–10 hours. Since slow cookers can vary in how they heat, check the dish a bit earlier if your model tends to run hot.

For the pressure cooker, set it to "Pressure Cook" or "Manual" (depending on your model) at high pressure for 50 minutes. When the cooking time ends, allow the pressure to release naturally for 15 minutes before opening the pot.

Once the beans are fully cooked, stir in the cilantro and red wine vinegar to finish the dish and season with additional salt as needed.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are borracho beans the same as charro beans?

Borracho beans and charro beans are quite similar, but the key difference lies in the use of alcohol. Borracho beans, or "drunken beans," are typically made by adding beer (or sometimes tequila) to the dish, which gives them a distinct, rich flavor.
Charro beans, on the other hand, are traditionally made without alcohol and rely on a flavorful combination of tomatoes, chiles, and spices to achieve their smoky taste.
Both dishes are hearty and often include pinto beans, but the addition of beer in borracho beans adds a unique depth and slight bitterness to the dish.

Can I substitute different beans?

Yes, you can substitute other beans like black beans, kidney beans, or cannellini beans in a charro beans recipe for a unique twist. Each type brings its own texture and flavor, but they all pair wonderfully with the smoky spices in the dish.
When substituting beans, use the same amount as called for in the recipe and adjust cooking times if needed. For dried beans, be mindful that cooking times may vary slightly depending on the type of bean.